Texas Rangers Blog

Can Rays manager Joe Maddon put together a lineup that has a chance against C.J. Wilson?

Joe Maddon went into the night facing another difficult task: putting together a lineup that has a chance against Rangers left-hander C.J. Wilson.

In three starts against the Rays this season, Wilson was 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA. The Rays hit .147 with 24 strikeouts in 68 at-bats against Wilson.

Wilson also had 61/3 scoreless innings in a win against the Rays during last year’s Division Series.

“I want to figure out a way to not come into the locker room after the game and not talk about how good C.J. was, ” said slugger Evan Longoria, who has only two singles in 17 career at-bats against Wilson.

Maddon used three different lineups, which included 14 players, against Wilson this season. Maddon hinted that he may used more left-handed hitters because Wilson is “not as death on lefties this year as he had been last year, but he is still semi-death.”

Left-handers this season hit .251 with a .651 OPS against Wilson. A year ago, he held left-handed hitters to a .144 average with a .400 OPS.

Briefly: Dale Scott, in his 25th season as a major league umpire, will be the crew chief and work home plate in the opener. … Maddon expects to carry 11 pitchers, one fewer than in the regular season. With the Rangers using three left-handed starters in the series, Maddon wants to have an additional right-handed bat. That probably means a roster spot for OF Brandon Guyer. … RHP Wade Davis, under consideration for the Game 1 start, is expected to go into the bullpen. He’s never made a relief appearance in his pro career.